The record breaking winning run had gone but this was City’s Ruud van Nistelrooy moment. Arsenal won the title unbeaten in 2004 and the biggest let-off was when former Manchester United striker van Nistelrooy crashed a late penalty against the crossbar.

City boss Pep Guardiola has repeatedly dismissed the notion of winning the title unbeaten but, make no mistake, he would love to do it and it has looked more likely with every thrilling victory.

But maybe Crystal Palace have now given hope to every other club that City are not unbeatable after all and the bigger fall-out from Selhurst Park was Kevin De Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus both suffering nasty injuries.

Jesus went off early and left the ground on crutches having turned awkwardly and damaged knee ligaments. De Bruyne, surely the best player in the country this season, was the victim of an appalling challenge by Jason Puncheon.

City’s squad has coped so far but this will now be a test of resources. And Palace deserve credit for testing them. Rafa Benitez is held up as a tactical genius yet Newcastle shut up shop last week and it was dear old Roy Hodgson who got some reward for being brave.

Yes, City were well below their magnificent best. Frustrations boiled over at times, even seeing Leroy Sane getting booked for kicking the ball away and he had an angry exchange with De Bruyne as passes went astray.

But it was also Palace working their socks off. Milivojevic was superb in midfield, Wilfried Zaha gave Kyle Walker the hardest game he has had all season and they were resilient in defence.

City substitute Sergio Aguero - on for Jesus - thought he had scored after 28 minutes when his shot was deflected off Jairo Riedewald, the ball ballooned up and crashed against the post. Aguero had even turned away to celebrate thinking it was in.

Jesus left the field in tears (Image: REUTERS)

De Bruyne was taken off on a stretcher (Image: Getty Images Europe)

City turned the pressure up a notch after half time, Raheem Sterling’s introduction as a substitute gave them an extra gear and Sane, Aguero and De Bruyne all went close.

But as City laid siege, Palace began to threaten. Andros Townsend blazed a big chance over the bar after 78 minutes. Everyone thought the moment had gone.

However, Zaha - who is looking the real deal these days - ghosted past Danilo and Sterling, burst into the box and went down under Sterling’s very soft challenge. Maybe there is an irony there.

But Ederson proved to be City’s hero. It was in the crazy, 100mph aftermath as De Bruyne raced away that Puncheon launched his terrible two-footed challenge and injured himself in the process.

City left Selhurst Park battered and bruised. One record ended, another intact and still 14 points ahead.

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